Anxiety In Young Athletes Research Articles

Self -Confidence in Young Athletes: A Protective Factor Against Perfectionism and Anxiety in Competitive Grassroots Sport.

Perfectionism includes various dimensions focused on different planes of psychological functioning, with both positive and negative elements that influence adaptation to the pursuit of achievement and personal satisfaction with efforts and their attainment. We examined participants' levels of perfectionism and the relationship between perfectionism and anxiety in young athletes, and we described the mediating factor of self-confidence as a determinant of sport performance. We utilized a non-experimental, descriptive, and transversal research design. A total of 263 Spanish young athletes (M age = 15.79years; SD = 1.07) who belonged to different sports clubs and engaged in different sports completed the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS) and the Competitive Anxiety Inventory (CSAI-2R). Our results confirmed our belief that self-confidence was a protective factor for diminishing the negative relationships between perfectionism, anxiety, and sport performance. Regarding the predictive power of these variables, the construction of exaggerated achievement expectations (or personal standards) by combining functional and dysfunctional resources was reflected in cognitive anxiety (dysfunctional) and was mediated by self-confidence (functional). Application of these elements into training via well planned communication may allow coaches to enhance young athletes' resources for mental and behavioral adjustment toward their sporting goal. In addition, this training approach may underscore athletes' self-perceived competence and enhance their self-confidence.

Are the traits of perfectionism associated with pre-competitive anxiety in young athletes?

Este estudio transversal verificó la asociación entre el perfeccionismo y la ansiedad precompetitiva entre los jóvenes atletas. Los participantes fueron 177 niños y niñas, que respondieron a la Escala Multidimensional de Perfeccionismo Deportivo-2 (SMPS-2) y a la Escala de Ansiedad Deportiva-2 (SAS-2). El análisis de los datos se llevó a cabo a través de la prueba de Kolmogorov-Smirnov, la "U" de Mann-Whitney, la correlación de Spearman y el análisis de la trayectoria (p<0,05). Los principales resultados fueron que los chicos presentaron un mayor puntaje de estándares personales/organización y se sienten más presionados por los padres, mientras que las chicas sienten más ansiedad somática y se preocupan más por los juegos. El Análisis de Caminos reveló que los esfuerzos perfeccionistas (PS) se asocian con la reducción de la ansiedad cognitiva/somática, especialmente entre los chicos, mientras que las preocupaciones perfeccionistas (PC) se asocian positivamente con la ansiedad cognitiva/somática en ambos sexos. Estas conclusiones muestran que los Esfuerzos Perfeccionistas parecen ser un factor de intervención para la reducción de los síntomas de la ansiedad cognitiva y somática, mientras que los Esfuerzos Perfeccionistas pueden intensificar los síntomas de la ansiedad somática y cognitiva entre los jóvenes atletas, especialmente entre los varones. This cross-sectional study verified the association between perfectionism and pre-competitive anxiety among young athletes. Participants were 177 boys and girls, who responded the Sport Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale-2 (SMPS-2) and Sports Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2). Data analysis was conducted through Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, “U” of Mann-Whitney, Spearman’s correlation and Path Analysis (p<0.05). The main results were that boys presented higher score of personal standards/organization and feel more pressured by parents, while the girls feel more somatic anxiety and care more about the games. Path Analysis revealed that perfectionistic strivings (PS) are associated with the reduction of cognitive/somatic anxiety, especially among boys, while perfectionistic concerns (PC) are positively associated with cognitive/somatic anxiety in both sexes. These findings show that PS seems to be an intervening factor for the reduction of the symptoms of cognitive and somatic anxiety, while PC may intensify the symptoms of somatic and cognitive anxiety among youth athletes, especially among boys. Este estudo transversal verificou a associação entre o perfeccionismo e a ansiedade pré-competitiva entre jovens atletas. Os participantes foram 177 meninos e meninas, que responderam à Escala de Perfeccionismo Multidimensional Esportivo 2 (SMPS-2) e à Escala de Ansiedade Esportiva 2 (SAS-2). A análise dos dados foi realizada através do teste Kolmogorov-Smirnov, "U" de Mann-Whitney, correlação de Spearman e Análise de Caminhos (p<0,05). Os principais resultados foram que os meninos apresentaram maior pontuação de padrões/organização pessoal e se sentem mais pressionados pelos pais, enquanto as meninas sentem mais ansiedade somática e se preocupam mais com os jogos. A Análise de Caminhos revelou que os esforços perfeccionistas (PS) estão associados à redução da ansiedade cognitiva/somática, especialmente entre os meninos, enquanto as preocupações perfeccionistas (PC) estão positivamente associadas à ansiedade cognitiva/somática em ambos os sexos. Esses achados mostram que o PS parece ser um fator interveniente para a redução dos sintomas de ansiedade cognitiva e somática, enquanto o PC pode intensificar os sintomas de ansiedade somática e cognitiva entre os jovens atletas, especialmente entre os meninos.

Análisis de las relaciones entre la motivación, el clima motivacional y la ansiedad competitiva en jóvenes jugadores de equipo mediante una red Bayesiana

Title: A Bayesian Analysis of the motivation, motivational climate and anx- iety in young competitive team players. Abstract: The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between the self-determinated motivation, the goal orientation and the perceived moti- vational climate and their impact on the cognitive and somatic components of the competitive anxiety in young athletes, and their acceptance of the use of cheating and gamemanship in sport. We administered PMCSQ, TEOSQ, BRSQ, CDED and SAS- 2 to 270 football, handball and basket- ball players (Mean age = 14.67, SD = 1.53). Probabilistic relationships of dependence and independence of the variables were studied by a Bayesian network (BN), developed using Netica and Tetrad IV. After the validation of the BN, we instantiated hypothetical probability values of several de- pendent variables in order to analyze the variation of the probability of the independent variables. Results show different statistical dependence rela- tionships between the self-determined motivation and achievement moti- vation, respect to the competitive anxiety, and also show a controversial re- lationship between the perceived motivational climate and the task and ego orientation of the players. It also shows the residual role of the somatic anxiety, and the instrumental role of the the use of cheating and ga- memanship.

Dyadic Anxiety in Youth Sport: The Relationship of Achievement Goals With Anxiety in Young Athletes and Their Parents

The role of achievement motivation on precompetitive anxiety was examined in 73 dyads comprising youth athletes and a parent of each athlete. Participants completed questionnaires assessing achievement goals and anxiety. Actor–partner interdependence models were estimated using Mplus 7.11. Parents’ adoption of performance-approach and performance-avoidance goals predicted athletes’ worry (βperformance-approach =.30, p <.01; βperformance-avoidance =.25, p <.05). Athletes’ adoption of any goal predicted parents’ concentration disruption (βmastery-approach =.41; βmastery-avoidance =.30, p <.01; βperformance-approach =.27; βperformance-avoidance =.22, p <.05). Thus, parental definitions of competence held for the child was related to their young athlete's emotional state and vice versa.

Trait Anxiety in Young Athletes as a Function of Parental Pressure and Motivational Climate: Is Parental Pressure Always Harmful?

We assessed the role of parental behaviors on sport performance anxiety. Measures of trait anxiety, parental pressure, and parent-initiated motivational climate were administered to youth swimmers throughout the season. High parental pressure within either a low mastery or a high ego motivational climate was associated with the highest levels of anxiety at all time points. An early-season, high-pressure/low-mastery combination was also associated with relative increases in anxiety over the season, whereas high pressure within a high mastery climate was associated with relative decreases. Results indicate that parental pressure can have differential effects depending upon motivational climate.

Competitive anxiety in young athletes: Differentiating somatic anxiety, worry, and concentration disruption

The age-appropriate Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2; Smith, Smoll, Cumming, & Grossbard, 2006) was used to assess levels of cognitive and somatic anxiety among male and female youth sport participants. Confirmatory factor analyses with a sample of 9–14 year old athletes (N=1038) supported the viability of a three-factor model of anxiety involving somatic anxiety, worry, and concentration disruption previously demonstrated in high school and college samples. Tests for factorial invariance revealed that the three-factor model was an equally good fit for 9–11 year olds and 12–14 year olds, and for both males and females. Gender and age were modestly related to anxiety scores. Worry about performing poorly was highest in girls and in older athletes, whereas boys reported higher levels of concentration disruption in competitive sport situations. Implications for emotional perception and for the study of competitive anxiety in young athletes are discussed.

Effects of Coach and Parent Training on Performance Anxiety in Young Athletes: A Systemic Approach

Coaches and parents play a major role in determining the consequences of sport participation in young athletes. This study focuses on the assessment of a systemic, empirically inspired intervention directed at coaches and parents. Parallel workshops derived in part from achievement goal theory were presented to the coaches and parents of 9 to 15 year old boys and girls participating in community-based basketball programs, and their effects were compared with a matched control condition. Multilevel analyses revealed significant Time x Condition interactions on all three subscales of the Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2) and on a total anxiety score. Athletes in the intervention condition decreased in cognitive and somatic anxiety scores on the SAS-2, whereas athletes in the control condition exhibited increases in cognitive and somatic anxiety. Results suggest the potential efficacy of brief, economical interventions in enhancing the psychosocial impact of the youth sport environment.

Social desirability and relations between goal orientations and competitive trait anxiety in young athletes

Objectives To examine the impact of a social desirability response set on relations between goal orientation and performance anxiety in youth sports. Design Correlational field design. Method Data assessing goal orientation, performance anxiety, and social desirability were obtained from male ( n=106) and female ( n=75) adolescent athletes (M age=12.1 years; SD=1.3 years). Results Female athletes reported significantly higher levels of task orientation and lower levels of ego orientation and concentration disruption, than males. As predicted, ego orientation was positively correlated with all indices of performance anxiety in males and females. Task orientation was negatively associated with all indices of performance anxiety in males but only concentration disruption in females. Social desirability was negatively related to ego orientation in males and females, and positively related to task orientation in females, but not males. Performance anxiety was negatively related to social desirability in females, but not males. Controlling for social desirability attenuated the observed relations between goal orientations and performance anxiety in females, but not males. Conclusions These results suggest the importance of incorporating measures of social desirability when studying psychosocial variables with either positive or negative connotations. Our results suggest that social desirability may contribute to relations between goal orientation and anxiety in athletes, particularly females.

The role of achievement goal orientations and perceived ability upon somatic and cognitive indices of sport competition trait anxiety. A study of young athletes.

Goal orientation theory and competence motivation theory were used to examine the relationships between young athletes' achievement goals and indices of somatic and cognitive trait sport competition anxiety. Included in these analyses were also the potential mediating and moderating role of the athletes' perceived competence in sport. We examined 136 young athletes aged 13 to 18 years involved in organized sport within a community in northern Norway. Whereas no association was found between an ego oriented achievement goal and indices of anxiety, multiple regression analyses revealed that both a high task goal orientation and high perceived sport competence predicted a reduced tendency to report cognitive anxiety when competing in sport. In addition, athletes who perceived their competence in sport as high were found to be less predisposed to experiencing somatic anxiety in the form of elevated physiological arousal when competing than those who doubt their competence. The results further showed that perceived competence did not mediate or moderate the relationships between achievement goal orientations and somatic and cognitive indices of trait sport competition anxiety. The findings suggest that being task oriented in sport as well as having a sense of being competent are important in order to prevent sport competitions giving rise to elevated cognitive anxiety in young athletes.